Celebrating the indigenous: Splendour of Khushab, as seen on canvas

Three self-taught artists’ works depict local landscapes and traditional art forms with a creative spin.

ISLAMABAD:

Small town artists are expected to make a big impression at an art exhibition which includes calligraphy, rural landscapes and figurative art. The exhibition of paintings by three artists from Khushab will open at the Jharoka Art Gallery on Thursday.

Titled “Colours of Khushab,” the exhibition features 32 pieces showcasing a diversity of influences and impressions of these self-taught artists namely Hafiz Ahmed Shahzad, Bashir Haider and Tariq Mehmood, including calligraphy and landscapes.

The young Shahzad is skilled in Kufic calligraphy and specialises in the traditional Fazil Arabi. Painted in watercolours, his calligraphic pieces are highly stylised with geometrical and floral compositions, reminiscent of ornamental or naqashi work of the kufic calligraphers. Practicing the medium is an ideal respite for Shahzad, who aspires to reach an advanced level in the art.

Haider’s work is more eclectic. Starting out as a signboard painter, he pursued a bachelor degree with a diploma in drawing. He is inspired by contemporary abstraction and figurative art. This bold, experimental aspect of the artist’s work speaks about his individuality, a unique self-acquired idiom of calligraphy fused with abstraction.

An exciting aspect of his exhibited work is what seems to be Japanese or Chinese script at first glance, but on closer inspection, reveals itself as an unusual version of Arabic text. In his work, movement is symbolised by incorporating a wheel, while boats symbolise exodus.

Haider, who is currently teaching at a government special education school, has a plethora of interests including philosophy, art, literature and religion. He aims to pursue advanced training in fine arts to broaden his horizons as an artist.

Mehmood’s forte is rural landscape, in which he has captures the impressions of autumn sunlight on the textured mud walls. The oil-on-canvas pieces are lively yet subdued with earthen tones. Mehmood, who grew up in a village of Bakhar Bar near Shahpur Sadar, aims to study art as he has “struggled in achieving his ambition”. With a diploma in painting from a fine arts college, Mehmood is currently teaching at a government high school in Sargodha.

Commenting on the exhibit, the gallery owner and curator Naheed Raza said, “I’m very impressed by the individual works. We must not forget that the artists come from a far-flung area which has no professional institution or platform to foster the creative arts. The exhibition will provide a chance for Islamabad based artists to see something refreshingly new and different from mainstream art”.

The exhibition which will be inaugurated by renowned artist Mansoor Rahi will continue until January 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2013.